EDITOR'S NOTE: This page contains two embeded videos. The first is the complete Rolls Royce Press Conference
at the Detroit Show, and the second is a short promo of the Phantom Drophead Coupé being built and driven on the road. Both
are viewed by clicking on the PLAY button.

DETROIT - January 7, 2007: Ian Robertson, Rolls Royce's Chairman and
Chief Executive, opened his company's press conference at the Detroit Auto
Show today with optimistic words about Rolls Royce's new chapter in its
illustrious history (since the acquisition by BMW), and then followed by
helping to unveil the stunning new Phantom Drophead Coupé. The following
are Ian's opening remarks:

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining us this morning.

It was four years ago that we pulled the covers from the Phantom, in
this hall, and began a new chapter in the 102 year history of Rolls-Royce.
And so we felt it was appropriate that we should celebrate the beginning of
the second phase of our business development, by unveiling our new
convertible model here too….but you will have to wait a few more
minutes to see that.

First of all I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the Phantom since
its launch four years ago. This car marked a new beginning for the company
– an all new, full-sized limousine, positioned at almost twice the
price of the outgoing Silver Seraph. We really were entering unknown
territory. The upper stratosphere of the car market, above $300,000, was
populated exclusively by rarified supercars selling a few hundred each year
at best.

You could say that Phantom has rewritten the rules, because it has been
something of a sales phenomenon, in relative terms, and become the
best-selling car in the world priced over $200,000. In the process we have
re-established and repositioned Rolls-Royce in its rightful place at the
top of the automotive tree, with sales growth every year since launch.

Last year customers in over 50 countries bought Phantoms and we have
seen our dealer network expand from below 60 when we began, to 79 by the
end of the first quarter this year. At the same time we have seen the
average age of Rolls-Royce buyers reduce by roughly 10 years and the
average annual mileage more than double as new owners become addicted to
the unique driving experience.

So last year we saw our sales reach a new record level, at just over 800
– the highest number of Rolls-Royces sold for 16 years, in the days
of the Silver Spur. Within this, we saw that the extended wheelbase model
accounted for around 20 per cent of our volume – much higher than we
had anticipated – and in the markets where it was introduced first,
specifically Asia Pacific and the Middle East, it accounted for around a
third of all sales.

America remained our strongest market overall, by a substantial margin,
and the UK stayed in second place. Asia Pacific was our fastest growing
region with the China market growing at 60 per cent, making it our third
largest in the world, and Japan still performing very strongly. China also
saw the sale of our most expensive Phantom ever – a special
coachbuilt model costing over $2 million. And our best performing dealers
were once again spread across the world with a cross-continent tie for the
top spot. Tokyo and Beverly Hills recorded the highest sales followed,
respectively, by London, Dubai and New York.

This excellent worldwide performance has placed us in a strong business
position, making a healthy positive contribution the BMW Group. We have now
established a solid foundation for the company and completed phase one of
the rejuvenation of Rolls-Royce. Phase two will see us adding to the
Phantom family, with the new convertible and perhaps others in the
future.

Phase three will come around the turn of the decade with an all-new
model to sit alongside the Phantom range. It will be slightly smaller than
Phantom – although still a large car – and priced slightly
below it, in the range $250,000 to $350,000. Preparations for this new
model and the expansion of our business have already begun at Goodwood and
the construction crews arrived last month.

So an exciting period of continued growth lies ahead – which
begins right now with the new convertible.

Convertibles have always been a key part of the Rolls-Royce model
line-up. From the very early days of the Silver Ghost and Phantom Dropheads
and later the Silver Cloud and the Corniche. There has always been
something glamorous and romantic about a convertible Rolls-Royce. Where
most of the sedans have an air of formality, the convertibles were more
casual – a little more relaxed. It was always part of our plan to
have a convertible model in our line-up and you will remember that we
showed the experimental car 100EX at Geneva motor show in 2004 – our
centenary year.

The reaction to that car at Geneva and other shows –
and as it toured the world – was extraordinary and we later announced
that we would build a production model inspired by it. As you will see, we
have tried to stay as close as possible to the design of 100EX –
keeping in particular some of the special features that caught the
attention like the teak decking at the rear and the brushed steel
bonnet.

Under the skin it is technically very similar to the Phantom, sharing
the same superb engine and running gear. Using the Phantom’s
light-weight aluminium spaceframe chassis as a start point was a huge
advantage – for the simple reason that it is incredibly stiff. It is
always a challenge to eliminate body vibrations in a convertible –
but I can tell you that after driving the prototypes on all kinds of
different surfaces, I have not detected any. This chassis is responsible
for all the best things about the Rolls-Royce driving experience –
its silence, its magic carpet ride, its freedom from vibration.

Like the Phantom this car offers effortless performance - the sprint to
60 mph takes just 5.7 seconds….and because it is 225 mm or nine
inches shorter than the Phantom is even more nimble and responsive. This is
a car for owner to drive and enjoy – a very special experience for a
handful of lucky individuals. We set out to create the quintessential open
air driving experience and you will be the judges of whether or not we have
been successful.

And what about the name. We wanted one which would make it very clear
that this car was part of the Phantom family and yet would also be
appropriate for the kind of car that it is….and at the same time
would resonate with the history of the company. And so ladies and
gentleman, you have heard enough from me, let me present to you….the
Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé."

To learn more about the the Phantom Drophead Coupé and see another video (a third one),
about the Rolls Royce 101EX, CLICK HERE.

The following titles and media identifications are trademarks
owned by The Auto Channel, LLC and have been in continuous use
since 1987: The Auto Channel, Auto Channel and TACH all have
been in continuous use world wide since 1987, in Print, TV,
Radio, Home Video, Newsletters, On-line, and other interactive
media; all rights are reserved and infringement will be acted
upon with force.